Slot machines, unarguably, are the most popular games in online casinos, constituting over 70% of online casino games. Slots are a game that entails spinning reels with various symbols. To win, you simply spin the reel and hope to get matching symbols at the end of a round. Slots are easy to play because their outcomes are entirely random, and none of your decisions influence your chances of winning, so no strategy is required. And although, some believe in slot machine probability mathematics, important decisions are where you play, what game you choose, and knowing when to stop.
Today’s casino news covers a bit of slot machine probability mathematics, so you can better understand how these amazing machines work.
Slot Machine Probability Mathematics: Putting Math In the Reels
Unlike the earliest electromechanical slot machines, every slot in online and land-based casinos now operates via software. While physical slots can have up to 20 symbols per reel, online slots can have up to 256 virtual symbols with countless combinations.
This software uses random number generators (RNG) to determine the symbols displayed on the reels after a spin. These RNGs produce thousands of numbers per second, each with several symbol combinations, and do not require external data to generate a result. By pressing a button, you activate a play, and the RNG determines your winnings for that spin. The best online slots assign values to each symbol on the wheel, and you only win when the symbols match the correct numbers.
It’s technically possible to cheat RNGs but a very tedious task requiring complex slot machine probability mathematics. Besides, third-party firms test-run all online casino software to ensure they are provably fair: random and without bias. Casino licensing and regulatory agencies also ensure that the casino or players cannot alter tested software.